1 Indian men’s hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh won the FIH Player of the Year title for the year 2024
Indian men’s hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh has won the FIH Player of the Year title for the year 2024 and former goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh has been named Goalkeeper of the Year . Harmanpreet and Sreejesh received the honour during the 49th FIH Statutory Congress in Oman. Two-time Olympic bronze medallist Harmanpreet got over 63 per cent votes in his category and Sreejesh got over 62 per cent votes.
2 Global recognition of Indian research: ICAR-NRC Equine (Hisar Haryana) receives prestigious WHO Reference Laboratory status
In a landmark achievement in the field of animal health in India , the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has selected the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Equine Research Centre , Hisar (ICOR-NRC) as the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Reference Laboratory for Equine Piroplasmosis . This global recognition underlines the continued commitment of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying to enhance India’s scientific capabilities, diagnostic infrastructure and leadership in addressing critical animal health challenges. As per the 20th Animal Census , India has about 0.55 million equines (horses, ponies, donkeys, mules) that play a vital role in various livelihoods and industries. Equine piroplasmosis, caused by the tick-borne protozoan parasites Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, affects horses, donkeys, mules and zebras and poses a serious threat to the health of these animals, with a significant economic impact. Its seroprevalence rate has been reported to be 15-25% across India. In some high-risk areas, this prevalence can reach up to 40%, resulting in severe economic losses due to reduced productivity, deterioration in health and restrictions on the movement and export of horses.
3 Two interceptors handed over to Mozambique in Nacala
As part of its capacity building commitments with friendly countries of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) , Government of India gifted two water-jet propelled Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) to the Government of Mozambique on 08 November 24. The Fast Interceptor Crafts were delivered from India by INS Ghariyal . These water-jet propelled boats have a maximum speed of 45 knots and a range of 200 nautical miles at 12 knots. They can carry a crew of five personnel and are equipped with machine guns and bullet-resistant cabins. The two Fast Interceptor Crafts will significantly assist the Government of Mozambique in its effort to combat maritime terrorism and the ongoing insurgency in the Cabo Delgado Province. Earlier, to strengthen the efforts of the Government of Mozambique for maritime security, Government of India had gifted two large interceptor vessels in 2019, followed by two FICs of the same class in January 2022.
4 Fifth Kuldip Nayyar Memorial Journalism Award was given to Urmilesh
On November 8, journalist and YouTuber Urmilesh was announced to be given the Kuldeep Nayyar Memorial Journalism Award this time . This award will be given on November 15 in the auditorium of Gandhi Peace Foundation . The award includes a sum of one lakh rupees, a citation, a symbol . The first award was given to Ravish Kumar , second to Nikhil Wagle, third to Ajit Anjum and fourth to Arfa Khanam Sherwani. Urmilesh started journalism with ‘Shaane Sahare’, he worked in Navbharat Times, Hindustan, Dainik Bhaskar and was also the executive editor of Rajya Sabha TV. Then he also worked in The Wire and News Click. He has written books like ‘ Bihar Ka Sach’, ‘Dahkte Chinar on the Jhelum Kinare’, ‘Christopher Caudwell in Ghazipur’, ‘Mem Ka Gaon Godse Ki Gali’, ‘Jaadhai Zameen Ka Andhera’ and ‘Warrior Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan’.
To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Vadtal Temple , a special postage stamp was released in honour of its important role in the Shree Swaminarayan Sampradaya . The temple serves as the spiritual capital of the Shree Swaminarayan Sampradaya, which has spread across the world today. The temple was built by Sadguru Shree Brahmanand Swami and Sadguru Shree Aksharanand Swami on the orders of Lord Shree Swaminarayan . The temple is built in the shape of a lotus , symbolizing the spirit of harmony among all religions. It includes depictions of the incarnations of Gods and Goddesses. The stamp was released on 09.11.2024 at Vadtal, District Kheda, Gujarat in the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, Acharya Maharaj 1008 Shri Rakeshprasad Ji, Dr. Shri Santvallabhswami, Chief Executive Kothari of Vadtaladham Temple, Postmaster General of Vadodara Shri Dineshkumar Sharma and other Pujya Swamishri.
6 Digital Population Clock
The first Digital Population Clock was inaugurated at the Institute of Social and Economic Change (ISEC) in Bengaluru jointly by ISEC and the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) . Similar Digital Population Clocks are being installed by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at 18 Population Research Centres across India. The clock provides real-time population updates , updating the state population every 1.10 minutes (one minute 10 seconds) and the country population every 2 seconds. Its accuracy is maintained through satellite communication, which provides accurate, real-time data updates. ISEC was established in the year 1972 as an all-India institute for interdisciplinary research and training in social sciences.
7 $25 million pandemic fund project
The Government of India launched the Pandemic Fund Project on Pandemic Preparedness and Recovery and Strengthening Animal Health Security in India . This Pandemic Fund Project is worth $25 million , funded by the G20 Pandemic Fund . This initiative has been launched to prevent pandemics like COVID-19, which will play an important role in reducing the risk of diseases spreading from animals to humans. It will be implemented in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Bank and can be used till August 2026. The fund aims to create a strong framework for surveillance and management of zoonotic diseases (diseases that originate from animals and spread to humans).
8 Indian Army flagged off motorcycle expedition from Dibang Valley district in Arunachal Pradesh to commemorate the Battle of Walong
The Indian Army flagged off a motorcycle expedition from Dibang Valley district to commemorate the Battle of Walong in Arunachal Pradesh . The three-day expedition was flagged off by Major General V.S. Deshpande, General Commanding Officer of Dao Division. The expedition will conclude at the historic Walong War Memorial on Monday. The aim of the expedition in Arunachal Pradesh is to promote adventure tourism in the border areas of the state. Through the expedition, the riders will connect with the local communities of the region and promote regional and national integration. The expedition began on October 17 to commemorate 62 years of the Battle of Walong. On October 21, 1962 , just before midnight, Chinese troops opened artillery fire on Indian posts in Kibithu from their bunkers about 700 metres away.
9 World famous Pushkar fair begins with flag hoisting ceremony
The world famous Pushkar Fair in Ajmer , Rajasthan started with the flag hoisting ceremony. Hundreds of domestic and foreign tourists have reached Pushkar to see this fair which will continue till 15 November.
10 Anahat Singh won the women’s singles title of the New South Wales Squash Open tournament in Sydney
India’s Anahat Singh has won the women’s singles title of the New South Wales Squash Open competition in Sydney , Australia . She defeated Hong Kong’s Helen Tang 3-1 in the final. Anahat defeated Tang 8-11, 11-6, 11-3 and 11-4 to win the seventh PSA Challenger Tour title of her career.
11 In table tennis, India’s Cinderella Das won the Under 15 Girls Singles title at the WTT Youth Contender
In table tennis, India’s Cinderella Das has won the Under 15 Girls Singles title at the WTT Youth Contender in Lignano Sabbiadoro , Italy . She defeated India’s Divyanshi Bhowmik 3-2 in the final. Divyanshi was leading 2-1 after the third set. However, Cinderella kept her composure and won the remaining two sets to win the title.
12 Indian players won three bronze medals in the Senior Asian Judo Open being played in Hong Kong
Indian players have won three bronze medals in the Senior Asian Judo Open being played in Hong Kong . In the women’s 48 kg weight category, India’s Angel Yadav defeated Lau Wan Lok of the host country. In the men’s 60 kg weight category, India’s Jatin won the bronze medal by defeating Habib Hassan of Kuwait. Whereas, Saurabh won the bronze medal by defeating America’s Bilegat Erdenetsogt in the 73 kg category .
13 QS World University Rankings: 7 Indian institutions included in Asia 2025
Seven Indian institutions have been ranked among the top 100 institutions globally. QS World University Rankings: Asia 2025 has released the list of top 100 universities in the world. In this, Indian Institute of Technology-IIT , Delhi has secured 44th rank , while IIT, Bombay is at 48th rank. IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Kanpur and Delhi University have managed to make it to the top 100. Institutions like IIT Guwahati, IIT Roorkee, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Chandigarh University, UPES and Vellore Institute of Technology have been included in the top 150. Peking University of China has retained the top position in the list of educational institutions in Asia . This ranking has been prepared on the basis of the performance of 984 institutions from 25 countries of East, South, South-East and Central Asia.
14 Neeraj Chopra appoints Olympic champion ‘Jan Zelezny’ as his new coach
On November 9, javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra appointed legendary Jan Zelezny as his new coach. Jan Zelezny is a three-time Olympic and world champion in javelin throw and the current world record holder . Chopra has always considered him as his idol. 5 of the 5 best throws of all time belong to gold medalist Jan Zelezny at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games. He broke the world record four times while achieving the undisputed record of 98.48 meters in Germany in 1996. This record has not been broken by anyone yet. When Chopra won the gold medal at Tokyo Olympics 2020, Jan was the coach of both the other medalists Jakub Vadlejch (silver) and Vitezslav Vesely (bronze). He has also trained 2-time Olympic champion and 3-time world champion Barbora Spotakova.
15 Sanju Samson became the first Indian cricketer to score two consecutive centuries in T20
Late night on 8 November, India defeated South Africa by 61 runs in the first T20 . With the help of Sanju Samson ‘s century at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban , India scored 202 runs. In reply, South African team was reduced to 141 runs in 17.5 overs. Before Samson, Phil Salt, Gustav Macon and Riley Russo have made this record. India scored 200+ runs for the seventh time in a year. Sanju Samson has become the first Indian wicketkeeper batsman to score a century outside India in T20 International . In Tests, this feat was achieved by Vijay Manjrekar in 1953 , while in ODIs, Rahul Dravid scored a century outside India in 1999. Dravid was also handling wicketkeeping then.
